Hi All,
My son bought a Note 4 for me from his friend who went out of contract and no longer needed his Note 4. It is a white NOTE 4. We already got a T-MOBILE account for this white phone...with the IMEI but it turns out I do not like the white color of this phone. His friend offered to just take back the phone and says I can buy a Charcoal Black 32 GB Note 4 from the store instead.
Now my question is: do I have to call T-Mobile and have them register a new IMEI number to the same SIM card from the older white phone? Or can I just instantly use this new sim card without informing them of the new phone's IMEI?
Thank you
Jack
No need to call, your service is tied to the SIM card and not the phone. Just move the SIM card over. If you buy a new device, they charge you a $15 SIM kit anyway for a replacement card. You can tell them to use the existing SIM otherwise they will activate the new one and move your service over.
Hi Nifty,
Thank you for a quick reply! Pardon my lack of knowledge as I have always been on Verizon (CDMA) and with them it's like a chain and dagger sort of system with always calling in, feeding them IMEI numbers etc through the years then waiting 72 hours for the phone service to activate.
I always thought the SIM card had the IMEI of a device/phone linked to it? Is this not the case?
So basically I can just pop in the SIM and it won't have me "activate" the device or call in etc? To clarify: this SIM card was already activated for that White Samsung Galaxy Note 4 of my friend's son. I just want to switch it over to another Note 4 from T-Mobile that is black color
CtJackHarkness said:
Hi Nifty,
Thank you for a quick reply! Pardon my lack of knowledge as I have always been on Verizon (CDMA) and with them it's like a chain and dagger sort of system with always calling in, feeding them IMEI numbers etc through the years then waiting 72 hours for the phone service to activate.
I always thought the SIM card had the IMEI of a device/phone linked to it? Is this not the case?
So basically I can just pop in the SIM and it won't have me "activate" the device or call in etc? To clarify: this SIM card was already activated for that White Samsung Galaxy Note 4 of my friend's son. I just want to switch it over to another Note 4 from T-Mobile that is black color
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Click to collapse
Yes. Just pop in the sim card and it will work. Imei number is on the phone.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
hi
but isn't the sim or my account registered to the old phone's IMEI number?
Bumping this. I am sure anyone with T-Mobile can help me out here before the week starts.
T-Mobile Chat gave me this answer
"You: Would doing so require me to activate again? Or provide an IMEI number to T-Mobile similar to Verizon when switching phones?
You: or can i just take my SIM card from my current phone, pop it in the other one and im good to go?
Reichell V: Thank you for this information that you provided regarding changing the phone. No worries! You are correct you can just simply insert the sim card on your new phone and you are good to go"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CtJackHarkness said:
Bumping this. I am sure anyone with T-Mobile can help me out here before the week starts.
T-Mobile Chat gave me this answer
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Click to collapse
I don't understand what more you want. 2 of us and a tmobile agent already told you to just insert it and it's going to work.
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flipq88 said:
I don't understand what more you want. 2 of us and a tmobile agent already told you to just insert it and it's going to work.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
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Click to collapse
That's the beauty of GSM, just pop in the sim for the carrier you want to use in the phone you want to use and you're good to go!
I hope the op enjoys the benefits of GSM as we do
Unlike CDMA which you need to register the IMEI of the phone in order to tie it to your service for example Verizon, Sprint, etc . GSM ties the service to the sim card so you may transfer it from device to device without having to get a new one or call customer support. Only reason you may need a new sim card is if the current one doesn't support LTE and in that case you would need to get a new one from T-Mobile and activate it.
Related
So basically my roomie was kind enough to let me use his discount to buy a note 3 since i'm not eligible for a while.
Obviously the phone is for me, even though we bought it thru his account.
So do I still need to call AT&T and activate the phone (it came with a sim card in the package)
Or i can just ignore the sim card and calling them and just use the new note 3 with my sim card, and he uses his iphone with his old sim card thats already in there.
Do you know how does the whole thing work?
idobref said:
So basically my roomie was kind enough to let me use his discount to buy a note 3 since i'm not eligible for a while.
Obviously the phone is for me, even though we bought it thru his account.
So do I still need to call AT&T and activate the phone (it came with a sim card in the package)
Or i can just ignore the sim card and calling them and just use the new note 3 with my sim card, and he uses his iphone with his old sim card thats already in there.
Do you know how does the whole thing work?
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Click to collapse
If you already have your own SIM card linked to your account, just put it in the phone and you are good to go as long as the phone is an ATT model. Also the phone will only work with a MicroSIM regular sized SIMs will not fit this phone.
On ATT the phone has no bearing on your account. What you are paying for is the SIM. I bought a Lumia when my contract renewed with ATT. Could not stand it so I bought an N3 full price and slapped my card in it. The device is even updated on my account on the website as being a N3 and not a Lumia.
oh cool.
So i dont have to do anything?
ATT doesnt care that the phone was never activvated?
idobref said:
oh cool.
So i dont have to do anything?
ATT doesnt care that the phone was never activvated?
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Click to collapse
On ATT phones are not activated. They are ready to use out of the box. The SIM is the key. All your account data is linked to the SIM, not the phone. You can use any phone that ATT sells on your account and you don't have to buy it from ATT . I bought my N3 on Amazon at full price but I still use it on my Lumia account. The exception is if you use a smartphone on a none smartphone account, when they see it on the network they will upgrade you and charge you accordingly. You cannot use ATT with a smartphone on a standard phone account.
OK let me shed some light. If you call and give them the imel number of the new phone then its registered and if you have the insurance it will automatically be transferred to the new phone regardless where you got it. That's the benefit. I have my Lumia insurance with att and my note 3 and s4 with square trade.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
i bought att note 3 on ebay. i just put my sim card in. it work perfectly.
ww3funs said:
i bought att note 3 on ebay. i just put my sim card in. it work perfectly.
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Click to collapse
are you sure it isnt a fake one.
My carrier is Verizon. I have an individual plan with a 2 year contract. My phone is an LG G3.
I recently just bought a Nexus 6 right off of the Google Store. The Nexus 6 takes a nano Sim card and unfortunately for me my current Verizon sim card in my LG G3 is a micro sim.
After going back and forth with Verizon I realized there is no official way of getting a nano sim card for a Nexus 6 IMEI bought directly from Google.
My unnoficial options:
1. Get a sim card cutter off of Amazon and cut my current sim card and put it in my Nexus 6. Then sell my LG G3 on EBay. When the next user gives the IMEI to a Verizon rep will this cause a problem since technically the IMEI / Sim number combo is still on my account?
2. An employee at a 3rd party Verizon reseller said he could just activate a new nano sim card using an IMEI number from a dummy iPhone that he has laying around. If I go this route my account will have an iPhone and a G3 on it I guess. Would I have to worry if the employee does the same thing for someone else? Does Verizon keep track of IMEIs or just device names on peoples accounts? If I go this route I will also be selling my G3 on EBay.
Can someone who has knowledge on this topic please tell me which path they would prefer and why? I would like to know the downsides of each method.
HunterT said:
My carrier is Verizon. I have an individual plan with a 2 year contract. My phone is an LG G3.
I recently just bought a Nexus 6 right off of the Google Store. The Nexus 6 takes a nano Sim card and unfortunately for me my current Verizon sim card in my LG G3 is a micro sim.
After going back and forth with Verizon I realized there is no official way of getting a nano sim card for a Nexus 6 IMEI bought directly from Google.
My unnoficial options:
1. Get a sim card cutter off of Amazon and cut my current sim card and put it in my Nexus 6. Then sell my LG G3 on EBay. When the next user gives the IMEI to a Verizon rep will this cause a problem since technically the IMEI / Sim number combo is still on my account?
2. An employee at a 3rd party Verizon reseller said he could just activate a new nano sim card using an IMEI number from a dummy iPhone that he has laying around. If I go this route my account will have an iPhone and a G3 on it I guess. Would I have to worry if the employee does the same thing for someone else? Does Verizon keep track of IMEIs or just device names on peoples accounts? If I go this route I will also be selling my G3 on EBay.
Can someone who has knowledge on this topic please tell me which path they would prefer and why? I would like to know the downsides of each method.
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Click to collapse
Once you pop the SIM in the N6, it will show up on your account as "Non-VZW device". The phone you use to activate the SIM will no longer show. So it doesn't matter what you do with the other phone afterwards.
I would go with the second option though so you don't have worry about cutting the SIM down. I thought it was really easy and I cut my micro down with scissors while I was sitting in traffic, but some people have had issues.
joshm.1219 said:
Once you pop the SIM in the N6, it will show up on your account as "Non-VZW device". The phone you use to activate the SIM will no longer show. So it doesn't matter what you do with the other phone afterwards.
I would go with the second option though so you don't have worry about cutting the SIM down. I thought it was really easy and I cut my micro down with scissors while I was sitting in traffic, but some people have had issues.
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Thank you for the response this is exactly what I was looking for!!! Any idea why my google voice won't work. Is it possibly because I was subscribed to Verizon Visual Voicemail Basic on my previous phone? I have never had problems setting google voice up on any of my past verizon phones until the N6.
HunterT said:
Thank you for the response this is exactly what I was looking for!!! Any idea why my google voice won't work. Is it possibly because I was subscribed to Verizon Visual Voicemail Basic on my previous phone? I have never had problems setting google voice up on any of my past verizon phones until the N6.
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Click to collapse
NP, wish I could help you with that too but I've never used G-Voice before.
HunterT said:
Thank you for the response this is exactly what I was looking for!!! Any idea why my google voice won't work. Is it possibly because I was subscribed to Verizon Visual Voicemail Basic on my previous phone? I have never had problems setting google voice up on any of my past verizon phones until the N6.
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Click to collapse
Make sure that call forwarding didn't get turned off on your line. I had to call Verizon support & get a rep to turn it back on. Or dial *72 and then your Google voice number.
Setting up with service provider?
Hello. For those of you who hate noobs in this forum, prepare to cringe a little bit. So I plan on getting the International Model of the Galaxy Note 5, but I have NO IDEA how it works, setting up the sim card and all. I've had some pretty extensive issues with phones and setting it up with my carrier and such. Is it as simple as popping in the SIM card, or do you have to do more than that?
Thanks
What carrier are you on and which model specifically are you looking at?
It's been a while since I get an international phone (I'm with AT&T). The last time I did, all I have to do is insert the sim card. Likewise when I bring my phone out of the U.S., all I have to do is insert a local sim card.
CrimsonKatsuro said:
Is it as simple as popping in the SIM cardThanks
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Click to collapse
Usually, yes
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Can I take the SIM card out of my current Note4 and put it into my Note8? My Note4 and SIM card are just about 3 years old. Is there any lost functionality by not getting a new SIM card or should I just go to a Verizon store and get a newer SIM card? Any advantages or disadvantages to either approach (current SIM card versus new SIM card) like an activation fee or anything like that?
Thanks!
The SIM card is a nano compared to the older micro in your awesome Note4, I had one too before the Note8
You can cut the SIM card to size but there is a chance you can cut it incorrectly and have issues, also a cut SIM card is not covered when you bring it into a store.
Your best bet is go get a new nano SIM at your provider.
I cut my SIM and I am not experiencing any issues but I do want to get a new one soon.
Ok, I figured there was likely a change in something over the last 3 years. Do you know if they will charge me the ridiculous activation fee ($35, i think?)?
blaidan said:
Can I take the SIM card out of my current Note4 and put it into my Note8? My Note4 and SIM card are just about 3 years old. Is there any lost functionality by not getting a new SIM card or should I just go to a Verizon store and get a newer SIM card? Any advantages or disadvantages to either approach (current SIM card versus new SIM card) like an activation fee or anything like that?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It has been suggested by all carriers that new SIMs be used because there have been several issues with previously used SIMs and provision functionality...in other words, there is better connections and access to carrier functions when using new SIMs...most are free from your carrier...I tested my s7e SIM and a new SIM and while they are both from my carrier, only the new SIM provisioned WiFi calling correctly and there was a considerable change in data speeds...just an idea though...
BlueFox721 said:
It has been suggested by all carriers that new SIMs be used because there have been several issues with previously used SIMs and provision functionality...in other words, there is better connections and access to carrier functions when using new SIMs...most are free from your carrier...I tested my s7e SIM and a new SIM and while they are both from my carrier, only the new SIM provisioned WiFi calling correctly and there was a considerable change in data speeds...just an idea though...
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Click to collapse
Thanks. That makes sense. I understand that the SIM is likely free. But, does anyone think Verizon will charge me the activation fee to put provision my Note8 on my account to replace my current Note4?
Thanks again!
One more question... Do i need the SIM card installed in the phone to actually go through the phone setup? I'm guessing not, but wasn't sure if it had to go through the setup all over again once the SIM finally is installed. I should get the phone today but probably won't get to a Verizon store to get a new SIM until a day or 2 from now. Thanks.
blaidan said:
One more question... Do i need the SIM card installed in the phone to actually go through the phone setup? I'm guessing not, but wasn't sure if it had to go through the setup all over again once the SIM finally is installed. I should get the phone today but probably won't get to a Verizon store to get a new SIM until a day or 2 from now. Thanks.
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Click to collapse
In most cases you shouldn't, and don't require a SIM card to get through the setup wizard, however I'm not sure if the process is different for US carriers so don't take my word for it.
Popping a SIM card in the phone after setup is complete also shouldn't be a problem.
blaidan said:
Thanks. That makes sense. I understand that the SIM is likely free. But, does anyone think Verizon will charge me the activation fee to put provision my Note8 on my account to replace my current Note4?
Thanks again!
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Click to collapse
I just did this yesterday went from the Note 4 to the Note 8 and Verizon gave me the sim for free. The only thing is they had to activate it while in the store so bring you Note 8 with you if you have already bought it. They didn't charge me anything however if you are upgrading through them (getting the Note 8 while there) they may.
Nebreos said:
I just did this yesterday went from the Note 4 to the Note 8 and Verizon gave me the sim for free. The only thing is they had to activate it while in the store so bring you Note 8 with you if you have already bought it. They didn't charge me anything however if you are upgrading through them (getting the Note 8 while there) they may.
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This is perfect! I just got my Note8 in the mail today. (came a day earlier than expected)! I'll take it with me over to the Verizon store and hopefully I have the same experience as you did. Thanks!
So...verizon told me to never take the SIM card out.
I'm confused. In the past I had a Note 4 from Verizon...but if I recall the SIM was just used for...contacts...and that's it.
Are SIMS used for the same reason or are there still such things as phones with the number hardwired?
Like my old phone - when I lost service on the Note 4 - it still shows my old phone number no longer in service
Please Help
Also - is there such a thing as a CDMA only phone...I was told I could not use a Verizon Note 4 on T-Mobile....I'm guessing that was bad information online...go figure
CtJackHarkness said:
So...verizon told me to never take the SIM card out.
I'm confused. In the past I had a Note 4 from Verizon...but if I recall the SIM was just used for...contacts...and that's it.
Are SIMS used for the same reason or are there still such things as phones with the number hardwired?
Like my old phone - when I lost service on the Note 4 - it still shows my old phone number no longer in service
Please Help
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Click to collapse
Sim is attached to your account. You need a SIM to get service. You can take the SIM out and use it on any other Verizon phone, but you can't take it out and get service.
Contacts on Sim cards was done years backs and could still be used. Now, the best thing is to sync your contacts with your Google account.
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What happens if I take my SIM out??
Also - I hear Verizon is doing away with 4G LTE CDMA and going the way of 4G LTE GSM.....so for a phone that was a Verizon CDMA one.....how does that transfer? Does my Note 4 have a dummy chip in it telling it to check the CDMA info on the phone? So it doesn't need a new "activated" SIM ?
CtJackHarkness said:
What happens if I take my SIM out??
Also - I hear Verizon is doing away with 4G LTE CDMA and going the way of 4G LTE GSM.....so for a phone that was a Verizon CDMA one.....how does that transfer? Does my Note 4 have a dummy chip in it telling it to check the CDMA info on the phone? So it doesn't need a new "activated" SIM ?
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Click to collapse
Your note 4 has an old SIM now and that no longer works. Your new SIM (inside the note 8) is your main SIM tied to your account.
You take the SIM out and you lose service. You can put the SIM in your note 4 and it will work but once you take the SIM out, service is gone.
The SIM carries your account, so in order for a phone to work, you need that sim in the phone.
Cdma is sprint and Verizon. (Sprint doesn't have their SIM tied to their accounts like Verizon. Sprint uses Imei numbers attached to the phone. From what i have read, Sprint can operate without a SIM because it's tied to the imei).
Gsm is att and tmobile.
Verizon phones work with any carrier SIM card you insert into it. For example, I insert a tmobile SIM into my Verizon note 8 and it will work.
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